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Kerala Tourism held a series of roadshows abroad in an attempt to promote the internationally acclaimed Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) and thereby woo art-loving tourists to ‘God’s Own Country’.
KMB was the flagship product showcased in the first of a series of such roadshows held last week in the Czech Republic, Spain, Ukraine, and Russia.
Further, a three-minute film on KMB was also launched by Kerala Tourism which triggered an enthusiastic response in Barcelona, Prague, St. Petersburg and Kiev.
Usually, biennales are major international events and attract a lot of artists and other creative people from across the world thereby increasing tourist footfalls.
“The roadshows will help us showcase the heritage and traditions of Kerala to a wider number of travellers,” said Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Kerala. The KMB will be an alluring product for new-age travellers as well as art enthusiasts from both India and abroad, he added.
Dr. Venu V., Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism, noted that the roadshows showcasing the biennale received a rousing response in Barcelona and St. Petersburg. “Kerala has been a popular destination for Ayurveda and traditional healing and now we also want to promote it as an art destination,” he added.
Over 71 buyers attended the show in Barcelona, 70 in Prague and 80 in St. Petersburg. Most of the tour operators in these cities said they would include the KMB in their itinerary for their next set of packages.
Kerala Tourism also organised a roadshow in Kiev, Ukraine which was the first time that Kerala showcased its products in the country.
A ‘Go Kerala’ contest was also held at the roadshows with the winner getting free Kerala holiday packages which included flight tickets and a stay. Emirates Airline was the sponsor airline in Prague and St. Petersburg while Qatar Airways sponsored it for Barcelona. Kerala Tourism will provide free accommodation facilities for the winners.
Moreover, a delegation of hoteliers, resort owners, tour operators and service providers from Kerala displayed an array of new tourism products and the many untapped destinations in the state.
The Barcelona roadshow, held at the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, was attended by Mr. D. B. Venkatesh Varma, the Indian Ambassador to Spain. The roadshow at the Czech Museum of Music, Prague, was attended by Dr. Venkatachalam M., First Secretary, Embassy of India in Prague. In St. Peterburg, Mr. Arun Kumar Sharma, Consul General of India, attended the roadshow.
